French grammar - Impersonal subjunctives - falloir, pleuvoir and valoir

Impersonal subjunctives - falloir, pleuvoir & valoir

There are three common verbs that are used impersonally and that have irregular subjunctives:

• falloir in its present tense is il faut ('it is necessary') and its subjunctive is il faille.

• pleuvoir in its present tense is il pleut ('it rains') and its subjunctive is il pleuve.

• valoir in its present tense is il vaut ('it is worth') and its subjunctive is il vaille.

Examples:
	Il est probable qu'il faille faire plus. It is likely that more needs to be done.
	Pas étonnant qu'il faille six ou sept ans pour le construire. Not surprising that it takes six or seven years to build.
	Il se peut qu'il faille demander au patron si ce serait possible. It could be that (we) need to ask the boss if that would be possible.
	Je crains qu'il faille être d'accord avant de continuer. I'm afraid it is necessary to agree before continuing.
	Je ne pense pas qu'il faille venir ce soir. I don't think (you) need to come tonight.
	Au cas où il pleuve, n'oubliez pas de fermer les fenêtres. In case it rains, remember to close the windows.
	Il est important qu'il pleuve bientôt - sinon, nous devrions arroser le jardin nous-mêmes. It is important that it rains soon - otherwise we would have to water the garden ourselves.
	Je n'ai pas l'impression qu'il vaille la peine. I don't feel like it's worth it.